Maharashtra HSC Child, Old Age & Health Care (Vocational) key terms

The regular measuring of a child's weight, height or length and head circumference over time, plotted on a growth chart, to detect faltering growth or excess gain early.

A skill or behaviour most children achieve within an expected age range, such as sitting without support or saying first words, used to check whether development is on track.

Play activities chosen to match a child's developmental stage, such as rattles and peek-a-boo for infants or role play for preschoolers, which build motor, language and social skills.

Deliberate sensory and social input, such as talking, singing, touching and showing objects, that encourages a young child's brain development and responsive interaction with caregivers.

The emotional bond an infant forms with a consistent caregiver, which shapes later confidence, social behaviour and stress response; secure attachment develops through warm, predictable care.

Distress shown by infants and toddlers when parted from their main caregiver, typically appearing around eight months and easing by about three years as children learn the caregiver returns.

A normal phase in which a baby becomes wary or fearful of unfamiliar people, usually beginning around six to nine months, managed by letting the child approach strangers at their own pace.

The gradual introduction of complementary foods alongside breast milk from about six months, while milk feeds are slowly reduced, so the child moves from milk-only to family foods.

Giving an infant only breast milk, with no water, other liquids or solids, for the first six months of life, except for prescribed medicines and oral rehydration solution.

Foods and liquids given to a child from six months onwards in addition to breast milk, starting with soft mashed foods and increasing texture, variety and frequency as the child grows.

The thick yellowish first milk produced in the days after birth, rich in antibodies and protein; it is the baby's first natural protection and should never be discarded.

A quick field measurement taken around the middle of a child's upper arm; values below the cut-off indicate severe acute malnutrition and signal the need for urgent referral.

A daily eating pattern supplying energy and all essential nutrients in the right proportions, built mainly from cereals, pulses, vegetables, fruit and milk, with limited oil, sugar and salt.

A category of foods sharing similar nutrient content, such as cereals and millets, pulses and legumes, milk and milk products, vegetables, fruits, fats and sugars, used to plan varied meals.

The indigestible parts of plant foods such as whole grains, pulses, vegetables and fruit, which add bulk to stools, prevent constipation and help control blood sugar and cholesterol.

A ready-made or home-prepared mixture of clean water, salt and glucose given in small frequent sips to replace fluid and salts lost through diarrhoea, preventing dehydration.

Giving zinc for about fourteen days during and after a diarrhoea episode, as advised, to shorten its duration and severity and reduce the chance of recurrence in the following months.

Loss of body water and salts, commonly from diarrhoea, vomiting or fever, shown by sunken eyes, dry mouth, reduced urine and lethargy; severe cases need urgent medical care.

Care of a child with raised body temperature: light clothing, plenty of fluids, tepid sponging if comfortable, and prescribed antipyretics, with urgent review for infants or warning signs.

Protecting a child from serious infectious diseases by giving vaccines on the recommended schedule, which builds immunity and also protects others through herd immunity.

A structured approach in which a trained health worker assesses a sick child for danger signs and common conditions, classifies severity and decides on treatment or referral at the first contact.

A symptom in a sick child that demands immediate referral, such as inability to drink or breastfeed, persistent vomiting, convulsions, lethargy, chest indrawing or severe dehydration.

The use of several medicines at the same time by one person, often five or more; in older adults it raises the risk of interactions, side effects and confusion about doses.

The likelihood that an older person will lose balance and fall, increased by poor vision, weak muscles, medicines, loose rugs and poor lighting, and reduced by exercise and home modification.

Local damage to skin and underlying tissue caused by prolonged pressure over bony areas, prevented by regular repositioning, clean dry skin, good nutrition and proper support surfaces.

A progressive decline in memory, thinking and reasoning that interferes with daily life; care focuses on routine, safety, calm communication and support for the family caregiver.

Care planned around the individual's preferences, history, culture and abilities rather than around tasks alone, so the person keeps dignity, choice and a sense of control.

A communication approach that gently and repeatedly reminds a confused older person of the date, place, people and current activity, using calm cues rather than argument to reduce disorientation.

Paying full attention to a speaker, observing tone and body language, and reflecting back what was understood, so the person feels heard and misunderstandings are corrected early.

Recognising and acknowledging another person's feelings without taking them on as your own, shown by words such as 'that sounds difficult', which builds trust in a care relationship.

A question that cannot be answered with yes or no, such as 'how have you been sleeping?', inviting the person to describe concerns and giving richer information than closed questions.

The duty to keep a person's health and personal information private, sharing it only with those involved in care or as required by law, and never gossiping about clients.

Agreement to care or treatment given freely by a person who understands what is involved, its risks and alternatives, after being given clear information in a language they understand.

The limit between a caregiver's working role and personal life, keeping the relationship focused on the client's needs and avoiding favours, loans or over-involvement that can harm care.

Cleaning hands with soap and water or alcohol-based rub at key moments such as before and after client contact, after toilet use and before food preparation, to break infection transmission.

Routine infection-control practices applied to every client regardless of diagnosis, including hand hygiene, gloves, safe sharps handling and safe waste disposal, to prevent spread of infection.

Items worn to protect the caregiver and client from contact with body fluids and infectious agents, such as gloves, apron, mask and eye protection, removed in the correct order.

Waste generated during care that may be infectious or sharp, such as used dressings, needles and gloves, which must be segregated by colour-coded bins and never mixed with household rubbish.

Cleaning a dependent person's body while they remain in bed, using warm water, mild soap and a clean towel, checking the skin for redness or sores and preserving warmth and privacy.

Immediate, temporary help given to an injured or suddenly ill person before professional care arrives, aimed at preserving life, preventing worsening and promoting recovery.

A stable side-lying posture for an unconscious person who is breathing, keeping the airway open and allowing fluids to drain, while help is called and breathing is monitored.

Blockage of the airway by a foreign object, causing sudden inability to speak, cough or breathe; managed with back blows and abdominal thrusts while emergency help is summoned.

Chest compressions, with rescue breaths if trained, given to a person who is unresponsive and not breathing normally, to keep blood and oxygen moving until emergency services take over.